Niners running back LaMichael James is active for today’s game against the Panthers for the first time since Week 5 and he could be line to handle return duties with wide receiver Kyle Williams struggling in that role. …

After spending a season as the offensive coordinator at his alma mater, Holy Spirit High, in Ventnor, N.J., in 2008, Greg Roman figured he was done scheming against defenses that took comical measures to stop the run. …

A third-round pick of the 49ers in 1996, Owens last played for the team in 2003. His messy exit included shots at quarterback Jeff Garcia and a scuttled trade to the Ravens, which preceded his signing with the Eagles. Owens never played at Candlestick during the final seven seasons of his career, which included stops with the Eagles, Cowboys, Bills and Bengals. …

After a struggling Kyle Williams was replaced as the 49ers’ kickoff returner in the second half of a 42-10 win over the Jaguars on Oct. 27, Jim Harbaugh told nosy reporters to stop asking questions about the switcheroo. …

A lesser known fact – perhaps only known to those with an advanced degree in All Things Jim – is that Harbaugh’s NFL career lasted so long that he was also teammates with one of Rivera’s players: wide receiver Steve Smith. …

Crabtree might have been faster than his teammates to get on the practice field, but it remains unclear when he’ll join them in a game. The 49ers cleared him for practice Tuesday and he can be placed on the 53-man roster at any time before Nov. 26. The latest he could make his season debut would be Dec. 1 against the Rams. …